MARIO Balotelli faces a nightmare trip back to Juventus, the club where he suffered the worst racial abuse of his time in Italy.

After Mancheter City were drawn in the same Europa League group as Juve, the Italian club were warned UEFA will hit them hard if the disgraceful abuse is repeated.

Balotelli, born and raised by his Ghanaian parents in Italy, was baited when playing for Inter Milan against Juve in Turin in April 2009. The chants included “a black Italian does not exist”.

The Italian federation banned Juve fans from a home game the following month and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino threatened similar sanctions should there be a repeat.

“Juventus know that our disciplinary bodies are watching. There will be sanctions if there will be racism used,” he said. “UEFA is always quite strong in terms of racism. No one is getting away with anything about racism.”

Jean Claude-Blanck, Juve’s chief executive, insisted there would be no repeat. “It will be an opportunity for our fans to demonstrate the standards of behaviour have been raised,” he said. “To show at a European level that Italian fans, and particularly those of Juve, have understood the messages and the sanctions that were handed out.”

City executive Brian Marwood said: “I’m sure Mario will deal with it. He’s a very confident young man. I’m sure he will be relishing the opportunity.”